Improvement in stalk-cutters



W. J. BRITT-AIN. Stalk-Cutter.

No. 217,856. Patented July 29. 1879.

ANI 'W Y V@ I Wl ES S INVENTOR ATTORNEYS -UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM J. BRITIAIN, OF HALF ROCK, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN STALK-CUTTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 217,856, dated July 29, 1879; application filed tpl-i121, 187s.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WlLLIAM J. BRITTAIN, of Half Rock, in the county of' Mercer and State of Missouri, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Stalk-Gutters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ot' the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of a part-sectional side View of my stalk and sod cutter. Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Fig. 3 ilsva letail view taken through the line m x of This invention relates to a machine for cutting corn-stalks and like substances; and the novelty consists in a suspended revolving cylinder carrying a series of cutters, having their cutting-edges on the lower curved surface, in combination with mechanism for communicating a rapid motion to the cylinder; also, in novel means for supporting the revolving cylinder provided with a series of cutters, having their cutting-edges on the lower curved surfaces, in colnbination with operative mechanism, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the main frame or tongue and seat-frame, composed of the side, front, and rear bars, secured upon the arched axle B, which has on each end a driving-wheel, G. Each driving-wheel C has mounted upon it acog or gear wheel, D, and forms the connection by means of the ratchet-wheel b on the axle, arranged between the said drivin g-wheel and cog, and engaging pawl a, attached to the driving-wheel. (See Fig. 3.) The letter D2 represents a revolving cylinder, composed of a number of horizontal bars or slats, h h, and end bars, f, crossing each other at the center to formjournal-bearings for a shaft, hereinafter described. This revolving cylinder is provided with a series of curved cutters or knives, i, attached to the horizontal bars by means of bolts and nuts. These cutters are arranged on the cylinder in zigzag or der-that is to say, in alternating order-so that a space between any two of the cutters will be followed by an intervening cutter. A

shaft, d, is centrally passed through the cylinder D2, and has its end bearings journaled in two curved arms, E E, which are hung upon the axle B, inside of the gear-wheels D. These curved arms pass down ward, forward, and then upward, and their upper ends are counected by a cross-bar, F, above the frame.

Upon each end of the cylinder-shaft dare secured pinions c, which engage with the gearwheels D, mounted on the main drivingwheels.

It will be observed that the revolving cylinder carryingthe cutters is arranged at the forward part of the framethat is to say, in. front of the main axle B and the drivers seat K-so that the driver can see and have full control of the operation of the cutters.

The curved arms E E and cross-bar F, constituting a frame for the revolving cylinder carrying the cutters, have a vibratory movement, caused by mechanical means about to be described.

The letter G indicates an oscillating shaft, having its bearings in the frame A, and provided with a lever, H, to engage with an arched ratchet-bar, L, as shown. This shaft is also provided with arms II, which extend forward under the bar F, so that by operating the lever H, within reach, the driver can raise or lower the frame carrying the revolving cutters as occasion may demand, for passing obstructions or cutting the corn-stalks or like substances.

The knives or cutters t', attached to the revolving cylinder, are secured in such a manner that the curved portions of the cutters shall be down, as shown in Fig. l.

Operation: As the machine moves forward a rapid motion is communicated to the revolving cylinder carrying the cutters, owing to the dilference in diameter between the gear-wheels D and pinions c. The stalks of corn submitted to the action ofthe machine lie fiat on the ground, or are sufficiently inclined in the direction of the knives to be brought within the reach of the knives in their forward revolution, and are thus cast upon the ground forwardfI of the axle of the revolving cylinder, so that( the ground acts as a resisting base, while they are cut with a shear sweep or stroke of the knives. The point of contact being as dc scribed prevents the stalks from being passed over by the machine Without severance, or from being thrown back of the machine uncut'.

This machine is equally applicable to outting sods, weeds, &c., in the eld.

What I claim as my invention is 1. The combination, in a machine for cutting corn-stalks and like substances, of a revolvin g cylinder' carrying a series of cutters, having their cutting-edges on the lower curved surface, and mechanism for communicating a rapid motion to the cylinder, whereby the cornstalks are severed While upon the ground by a shear sweep of the cutters, as described.

2. The combination, in a machine for cutting corn-stalks and like substances, of a revolving cylinder carrying a series of cutters, i

having their cutting-edges on the lower curved surfaces, and suspended in front of the main axle ofthe machine in a vibra-tory frame, mechanism ,for communicating a rapid motion to the cylinder, and mechanical means arranged in front of the drivers seat for raising or lowering the vibratory frame, all operating in the manner as described, and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in'the presence of two Witnesses.

W. J. BRITTAIN.

Witnesses:

F. M. STEWART, WILLIAM M. OooP. 

